On Tuesday October 17th, the Amazon Distribution Center outside of Trenton NJ held a graduation for the first class of MSSC CPT students to have completed program through the Amazon Career Choice Program. This is a tuition assistance program for Amazon associates that helps with career path futures open to full-time employees when they transition out of Amazon. Amazon partnered with New Jersey Council of County Colleges (JCCC) and Mercer Community College to provide training in house at their Career Choice lab.

At the graduation, Mr. Reddy spoke about the opportunities CPT would offer the graduates and how it could help them "transition into the exciting world of advanced manufacturing". There were 37 graduates in the first graduating class who earned CPT certificates.

POLICY NEWS

Gov. Ivey announces changes to the AL Community College System

According to Yellow Hammer News, "in a push to be "a leader in the automotive industry," Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that Alabama will be the first state to roll out nationally recognized manufacturing credentials at every community college."

"We are once again proving Alabama is a leader in the automotive industry by offering these credentials in all of our two-year colleges," Governor Ivey said.

"It's only fitting that this announcement comes on Manufacturing Day. Alabama is committed to providing a 21st Century workforce that is prepared for 21st Century manufacturing like that found in this growing auto industry."

Alabama has been consistently gaining national recognition in the automotive industry. The new community college requirements will further that recognition through Alabama's partnership with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC). A federally recognized training and certification system, the MSSC focuses on skills and knowledge needed by manufacturers in today's workplace.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, "the men and women who go to work each day in e-commerce fulfillment centers are much better-equipped with information technology-and therefore more productive and better-paid. Our research shows that fulfillment center weekly wages are 31% higher on average than brick-and-mortar retail in the same area."

"Note that fulfillment centers are not hiring college-educated coders. Instead, these jobs use a mixture of physical and cognitive skills. Better yet, they pay decent wages, and require only a high-school education. Jobs like these can close the income gap."

"But does e-commerce destroy more jobs than it creates? So far the answer seems to be no. From the third quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2017, brick-and-mortar retail full-time-equivalent jobs fell by roughly 123,000, or about 1%, according to my think tank's analysis of the latest Labor Department data."

Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Tom Reed (R-NY), along with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize the first Friday in October as "Manufacturing Day."

Celebrating Manufacturing Day annually recognizes the industry for its contribution to the U.S. economy, raises awareness for important investment and career opportunities within the sector, allows communities to engage with their local businesses, and better educates Americans on the importance of manufacturing.

"American manufacturing is the lifeblood of our economy, and the backbone of our middle class. Our manufacturing sector employs 9% of the United States workforce, and makes up 12% of our GDP -- its importance cannot be overstated. Manufacturing plays a critical role in almost every part of our economy, stretching from construction to pharmaceuticals; transportation to agriculture. I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing this vital sector of our economy, and the men and women who work in it each and every day," said Congressman Ryan.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC's) Testing Center has been selected as the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Authorized Assessment Center of the Year.

As an MSSC Authorized Assessment Center, the BPCC Testing Center delivers MSSC assessments to students enrolled in the Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Division's Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics program.

BPCC's Advanced Manufacturing program helps students build strong skill sets in the principles of electronics, mechanics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and industrial sensors. Students in these programs will receive training and have the opportunity to test for a variety of industry-based certifications including Certified Production Technician (MSSC program), SIEMENS Level I (CTS program) and SIEMENS Level II (AAS program).

For more information on the program, visit
BPCC Website or call (318) 678-6200.

Significant growth in FL advanced mgf. workforce

According to Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center, "Florida's manufacturing employment has grown steadily over the last 78 months after a rapid decline in the 4 years prior.

In June 2017, employment numbers returned to the 2009 level with a total 365,900 jobs throughout the state. This current total employment represents an increase of 10,900 jobs since January 2016.

These jobs are spread across 20,584 manufacturing establishments, also increasing steadily over the past several years. This bodes well for the State's manufacturing economy in that Florida has largely outpaced the rest of the nation in manufacturing job creation. This is reflected in MSSC statistics, which show Florida as the second ranked state in the nation in its use of MSSC certifications.

An
administrator at Southern Union State Community College says new manufacturing credentials adopted statewide are a "win-win-win."

"This is just another tool in the toolbox for these students, to say they're confident in these skill sets," said Darin Baldwin, dean of technical education and workforce development at Southern Union.

On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama would be the first state to implement nationally-recognized manufacturing credentials at every two-year college. The program is a result of a partnership between the Alabama Community College System and the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council.

Marvin Lear, who was in the Certified Production Technician training class held in East Spencer exactly one year ago, was nominated by Centralina Workforce Development for a North CarolinaGovernor's NCWorks Award of Distinction and he was selected!

Marvin will be presented this award for "demonstrating exceptional achievement to attain career-related goals" after a short video presentation of his journey.